Is it safe to use my bank on a mobile?

Anthorn

takman wrote: »

The reason the Apps are safer is because when you first install it they are registered to that device and can only be used on that one device. They also usually use a different login method to the website so even if someone did intercept your login details for the app they couldn't use it anywhere else but your device so it's pretty useless information.

When you login via the website browser if anyone intercepted those details then they could log in from any browser on any device, so obviously less secure.

But as you never use online banking outside your house then you have no real reason to need the Apps.

No. The reason that customers need to register for internet banking in most cases is that the same login is used for the mobile app. What's unique about some bank mobile apps is that a pass-code can be used for faster login or depending on the bank, app and mobile device, fingerprint authorisation. Bank apps can also be used on more than one device: I have them on my iPhone SE and Samsung Tab 4 simultaneously.

takman

Anthorn wrote: »

No. The reason that customers need to register for internet banking in most cases is that the same login is used for the mobile app. What's unique about some bank mobile apps is that a pass-code can be used for faster login or depending on the bank, app and mobile device, fingerprint authorisation. Bank apps can also be used on more than one device: I have them on my iPhone SE and Samsung Tab 4 simultaneously.

It all depends on what App your using, but I know that some atleast only allow it on one device at a time. Most of them do use Internet banking login details when you first set it up and some require extra details such as card number and phone verification before it can be used.

But once it is setup every App that I have uses either completely different login information than online banking or only asked for some of the information. So even if I gave someone all the details they needed to login into my phone banking Apps they still wouldn't be able to use it to login on a browser, they also couldn't use the information to setup the App on any other device.

So this makes them much more secure because even if someone saw you using the App they would still need your actual device to log in.

Anthorn

takman wrote: »

It all depends on what App your using, but I know that some atleast only allow it on one device at a time. Most of them do use Internet banking login details when you first set it up and some require extra details such as card number and phone verification before it can be used.

But once it is setup every App that I have uses either completely different login information than online banking or only asked for some of the information. So even if I gave someone all the details they needed to login into my phone banking Apps they still wouldn't be able to use it to login on a browser, they also couldn't use the information to setup the App on any other device.

So this makes them much more secure because even if someone saw you using the App they would still need your actual device to log in.

The point flew over your head. You use your internet banking registration and login to login in on the mobile app. No bank that I know of has a unique registration for mobile banking, even my B account. Admittedly though they do validate devices but they validate usually with a verification code text to the mobile phone device which is currently being registered. Hard luck if that's not your device!

I think you are confused over validation of a device which doesn't have a sim and therefore doesn't have the ability to receive SMS and phone calls. In that case the verification code is sent to the mobile device which is already registered and validated.

takman

Anthorn wrote: »

The point flew over your head. You use your internet banking registration and login to login in on the mobile app. No bank that I know of has a unique registration for mobile banking, even my B account. Admittedly though they do validate devices but they validate usually with a verification code text to the mobile phone device which is currently being registered. Hard luck if that's not your device!

I think you are confused over validation of a device which doesn't have a sim and therefore doesn't have the ability to receive SMS and phone calls. In that case the verification code is sent to the mobile device which is already registered and validated.

But none of the Apps I use require you to use your full Internet banking login when using the App, you only use the full login details when your first setup the App.
For example:

Nationwide: Just your pass number but NOT your customer number
Halifax: Just your memorable information and NOT your Customer Number
CO-OP: Just a passcode
Tesco: Just a passcode or fingerprint
Natwest: Just a passcode or fingerprint
First Direct: Unique Password

Even if I supplied you will all the above information you couldn't get into any of my bank accounts unless you have my phone with the APP's on.
If you installed the Apps on another device you would have to use all the Internet banking login details (plus more on some Apps) to be able "activate" it.

badger09

pollypenny wrote: »

An interesting thread, particularly after Joe's question. I've been wondering whether to install my banks' apps rather than use the brower.

I only access my accounts when at home or at DS' place, as I am now. I've been a little concerned that Santander and Nationwide icons appear on favourites as a thief would know where I bank.

I think I'd better install the apps when I get home.

If you install the apps, a thief will know where you bank:cool:

That hasn't stopped me installing multiple apps though;)

datlex

mt99 wrote: »

Yes in fact it is safer to use an app on your phone than a browser as it is a lot more difficult to intercept an app and get your banking credentials - not that it's that easy on a browser of course. if you are running Android you could consider installing the app in the Samsung Knox environment I have all my banking apps there it requires fingerprint ID to even enter the environment before you can run the app also as said above you should secure your phone with either a pin or password or preferably fingerprint. Finally you should always have a SIM lock set so that if you lose your phone they can't simply remove your SIM and put it in an unlocked spare phone

Functionality of fingerprint reader would depend on the phone. As for the SIM card, you do not need a SIM card in the phone to register for or use the apps. I have 4 app on a phone which has no SIM card in it which I use at home only. Should a passcode be needed it is sent to a different phone the number for which is linked to the acoount.

pollypenny

badger09 wrote: »

If you install the apps, a thief will know where you bank:cool:

That hasn't stopped me installing multiple apps though;)

That was my thought. I do like the Nationwide card reader, though.

I think having to learn and input a long customer number would also be helpful.